Chapter 240
After the Christmas Ball, time slipped away like sand through one's fingers.
Soon, the new term began.
"Students, we have already learned about the habits of certain magical creatures, such as the Bowtruckle and the Niffler—both of which can be quite useful in daily life. Today, however, we have the rare opportunity to observe a truly extraordinary magical creature—" Professor Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank deliberately drew out her words, her tone full of mystery.
She stood in the open grounds, teaching a joint lesson for Gryffindor and Slytherin.
A bitter wind swept across the snow-covered field. Frost clung to the glass panes of the nearby greenhouses. The students stood shivering, stamping their feet and breathing into their hands, trying to stay warm.
To be honest, none of them wanted to attend an outdoor Care of Magical Creatures lesson in such weather.
But that thought quickly vanished.
They all felt that missing today's lesson would be something they would regret for the rest of their lives.
"Follow me," the professor instructed.
She led them past a temporary enclosure where the Beauxbatons winged horses were kept. The cold had clearly affected them—once spirited and proud, they now huddled together, trembling in the wind.
At last, the group arrived at the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
There, tied to a tree, stood a unicorn.
"It's… beautiful," Pansy Parkinson murmured beside Draco Malfoy, her eyes wide with wonder.
The other girls reacted the same way. They seemed completely captivated by the creature, instinctively stepping forward.
The unicorn's coat was a dazzling white—so pure that even the surrounding snow looked dull by comparison. Its golden hooves pawed uneasily at the ground, and it lifted its horned head, clearly unsettled by so many eyes upon it.
It seemed to be unaccustomed to attention.
Even the boys were drawn to it, though when some attempted to approach, Professor Grubbly-Plank immediately stopped them.
"Unicorns prefer the touch of women," she said firmly. "Girls, step forward slowly. Be gentle… show kindness."
Encouraged by the girls behind her, Hermione Granger found herself pushed to the front. Unlike the others, she approached cautiously.
"Hurry up, Granger! We're waiting!" someone urged from behind.
As the girls gathered around the unicorn, the professor began explaining.
"I encountered this unicorn in the Forbidden Forest by chance. It was lowering its head to drink dew from the grass. At that time, the leader of the centaurs was also present."
"I negotiated with him and promised to return it after today's lesson. Unicorns are regarded as symbols of peace and good fortune."
She paused before continuing.
"There is also some important knowledge you should remember—and perhaps pass on to your families. Many so-called 'unicorn horns' on the market are fake."
She gestured toward the creature.
"No one willingly kills a unicorn. To break its horn means the creature is already dead. And if a unicorn dies unnaturally, anything taken from it carries a curse that brings misfortune."
Her gaze lingered on the boys.
"A naturally deceased unicorn, however, is exceedingly rare—and thus extremely valuable."
She continued, "Unicorn hair is an excellent wand core. It is highly responsive. Some of you may already be using wands with such cores."
Several students instinctively examined their wands.
"Harry, I remember my wand has a unicorn hair core!" Ron Weasley said excitedly, showing it to Harry Potter.
"Mine has a phoenix feather," Harry replied, recalling his first visit to Garrick Ollivander.
"I remember every wand I've ever sold, Mr. Potter…" the old wandmaker had said. "Two feathers came from the same phoenix—one for your wand, and one for another. And that other wand… gave you that scar."
The memory sent a chill through Harry.
Nearby, Malfoy absently brushed the wand hidden in his sleeve—also containing unicorn hair. It seemed to tremble faintly, as if responding to his thoughts.
"Unicorn blood is even more extraordinary," Professor Grubbly-Plank continued. "It can sustain a weakened person instantly. In potion-making, it enhances effects significantly."
"Even Lord Voldemort sought to use it to prolong his wretched life," Malfoy murmured, glancing at the unicorn.
At that moment, it was Pansy's turn. She gently stroked the unicorn's smooth coat, smiling. The creature seemed to enjoy her touch, swaying its head slightly.
The boys watched with envy. Though the idea of unicorn blood's power was tempting, the professor's warning had dampened their enthusiasm.
It was clear—this subject required knowledge from many areas. Under proper teaching, even difficult concepts became captivating.
Previously, the professor had only maintained a neutral relationship with her students. But today, with the unicorn present, she had completely won them over.
"Well," she said after a while, "once the girls have finished, you may step aside. Boys, you may come closer afterward. Opportunities like this are rare—normally, unicorns are only studied from books. Take it seriously."
Eventually, the observation concluded.
The bell rang, marking the end of the lesson.